Skip to main content Skip to secondary navigation
Political Science (Lincoln Memorial)

Political Science

Main content start

School of Humanities and Sciences

Provides students with a solid grasp of the American political system and other political systems within the context of global forces, international conflicts, social movements, ideological systems and diversity.

What You'll Study

Students who major in political science will learn how political decisions are made and will develop analytic skills useful in careers in government, business, professional schools, and not-for-profit organizations. To complete a Bachelor of Arts in political science students focus on one-of-five tracks: Justice and Law; Political and Economic Development;  Elections, Representation, and Governance; International Relations; or Data Science.  Students supplement their primary track with a secondary track, an introductory course in political science, and with a variety of courses offered both in the department and throughout the university.  

Students in the program have excellent preparation for further study in graduate or professional schools as well as careers in government, business, and not-for-profit organizations.

Degrees Offered

  • BA
  • Minor
  • Honors

More Information

Learn more about Political Science in the Stanford Bulletin

Exploratory Courses

POLISCI 1

The Science of Politics

POLISCI 101

Introduction to International Relations

POLISCI 102

Introduction to American Politics and Policy: Democracy Under Siege? (AMSTUD 123X, PUBLPOL 101, PUBLPOL 201)

POLISCI 103

Justice (ETHICSOC 171, PHIL 171, POLISCI 336S, PUBLPOL 103C)

POLISCI 124A

The American West (AMSTUD 124A, ARTHIST 152, ENGLISH 124, HISTORY 151)

POLISCI 25N

The US Congress in Historical and Comparative Perspective

Related Links